IN February 1998, as Mayor of Gosport , I was asked to receive in the Mayor’s Parlour someone who had trained with Stokes Bay sailing Club on The Solent and had won a silver medal for sailing at the Atlanta Olympics .
The unassuming 20-year-old was none other than Ben Ainslie.
When I presented him with the Gosport crest, little did I realise at the time that this talented youngster would become an international superstar and a sailing legend.
My mayor’s charity was targeted at the development of young people and my quote of the time was “Giving the young people a chance to show just what they can do, and how immensely proud they make us feel when they achieve it.”
That quote seems almost an underestimation today, now that Ben is an international sailing superstar and an Olympic legend.
Ben has become one of the greatest examples of what a young person can achieve in sport with a strong will to win, coupled with dedication and enthusiasm.
He is a great example to our aspiring young people of today.
COUNCILLOR PETER EDGAR, assistant executive member for education , Hampshire County Council.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here